A species is a group of organisms with similar traits that can reproduce with each other. A variety is a
subset of a species. A variety has particular traits, or special characteristics that distinguish it from
other varieties. New varieties are developed with those traits (grow in colder climates, tolerate salty
soil, resist disease, fight off insect infestation) we want or need in the plant we are growing.
Please use a shared Google Doc to find links and videos to find answers to these concepts:
1) How many variety of apples are there? How do we get new varieties of apples?
2) What is selective breeding? What are the steps to selective breeding?
3) When do farmers and growers use selective breeding? What are they trying to accomplish?
4) What is genetic modification or genetic engineering? What kinds of foods are genetically modified and how do they modify them?
5) What are some problems with developing new varieties of plants?
6) Not everybody is supportive of genetically modifying plants. What are some of the concerns against genetic engineering? What are some of the arguments that support genetic engineering?
subset of a species. A variety has particular traits, or special characteristics that distinguish it from
other varieties. New varieties are developed with those traits (grow in colder climates, tolerate salty
soil, resist disease, fight off insect infestation) we want or need in the plant we are growing.
Please use a shared Google Doc to find links and videos to find answers to these concepts:
1) How many variety of apples are there? How do we get new varieties of apples?
2) What is selective breeding? What are the steps to selective breeding?
3) When do farmers and growers use selective breeding? What are they trying to accomplish?
4) What is genetic modification or genetic engineering? What kinds of foods are genetically modified and how do they modify them?
5) What are some problems with developing new varieties of plants?
6) Not everybody is supportive of genetically modifying plants. What are some of the concerns against genetic engineering? What are some of the arguments that support genetic engineering?
Variety of Plants
http://www.upov.int/about/en/upov_system.html#what_is_a_pv
Learning about plant varieties in honor of our new apple tree:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071007164924AAAW5oS
http://www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/ingredients/apples-and-their-uses
How to get new varieties:
http://howtosaveseeds.com/breeding.php
http://maize.teacherfriendlyguide.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=91
Steps to Selective Breeding: (with examples)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_gateway_pre_2011/living/genesrev2.shtml
selective breeding corn:
http://plantgenomesecrets.org/promotional-tiles/selective-breeding-video
Four examples of selective breeding:
Genetic Modification/Genetic Engineering:
Top 10 GMOs by Discovery:
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-genetically-modified-food-products.htm
Jf's Link on GMO's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ztZGbLEJ0